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Reviews For: Ameritron ADL-1500 1.5KW Dummy load w/oil

Category: SWR & Wattmeters & Dummy Loads

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Review Summary For : Ameritron ADL-1500 1.5KW Dummy load w/oil
Reviews: 9MSRP: $69.95
Description:
Ameritron's ADL-1500 legal limit oil filled dummy load lets you run the maximum legal limit of 1500 watts for a full five minutes. The ADL-1500 has high quality industrial grade transformer oil (no PCB) and a heavy duty 50 Ohm resistor. Ameritron's Legal Limit oil filled dummy load gives you SWR under 1.2 to 30 MHz and low SWR to 400 MHz. Durable, sturdy gallon can measures 7 1/2 (height) by 6 5/8 (depth) inches.



Product is in production
More Info: http://www.ameritron.com/products.php?prodid=ADL-1500
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
0092.8
N4OGW Rating: 2021-02-03
Easy to short out Time Owned: more than 12 months.
This does work. But you have to be very careful using it. Inside, the dummy load resistor is a tube held by two spring clamps, with the upper clamp attached directly to the center pin of the so-239. The internal connections are not very strong. The only thing keeping the upper clamp from rotating out of position and contacting ground is the clamp friction on the resistor and the so-239 center pin itself. The so-239 center pin is not fixed and can spin freely. Oil also gets everywhere and reduces the friction. If you connect a PL-259 that has a tight center pin and tighten it well, it is possible to spin the clamp inside the load and short it out. Always check after connecting the coax that it is not shorted. I was lucky that the amplifier I was testing had a good SWR protection circuit and was not damaged when it shorted out.
K7NNV Rating: 2018-07-14
Poor Quality Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I ordered this Dummy Load through HRO (7-15-18) and it came well packed. Once I pulled the manufactures box out and unpacked it the fun began. The can itself was severely bent but I managed to beat it back into somewhat of a round can with a rubber hammer. The can is really thin metal as well as the top.
The resistor housing (aluminum) that was attached to the lid was bent both at the top and the bottom. Keeping my fingers crossed that I did not damage the resistor I managed to straighten it out as well.
Overall the build quality was poor as well as the over quality of the unit as a whole. I somehow believe that Ameritron's parent company has had their fingers in this product somewhere along the line as Ameritron used to provide a quality product.
W3ZV Rating: 2014-02-26
QC needs help. Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I took delivery of this dummy load today. When I opened the can to add the oil, I noticed that the resistor assembly was bent to on side of the can. Further inspection revealed that the small lower right angle bracket was also bent. I checked the position of the resistor and found that the top was not in the spring clamp that is part of the circuit. I had to disassemble the metal case around the resistor, reinsert the resistor in its clamp and bend the upper and lower brackets back into alignment.

The unit was double boxed and well packed. There was no damage to the outer box, so my assumption is that the unit left the factory in this condition. Returning the unit to serviceable condition was not a big deal. Just annoying. This is a simple device and I fully expect that it will perform as specified.
K4WSG Rating: 2011-04-10
Does what it's supposed to do! Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
Purchased from DX Engineering. Inspected on arrival and all was well, filled with oil and works well. No complaints. Recommended.
N6NKN Rating: 2008-07-20
Two Years, No Problems Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've had no problems in two years of service. Use it at least 5 times a day. Takes a kilowatt without a whimper. If the can ever leaks I'll just buy another can.
MW0ZZD Rating: 2008-06-26
V poor Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Only received this product one day ago.Dead short.Had the hassle of emptying out the oil before returning item.
Sorry to report MFJ just is not up to it any longer.
K6IOU Rating: 2008-06-15
I was skeptical Time Owned: more than 12 months.
when I purchased this dummy load. I went with the more expensive Ameritron rather than the MFJ because I REFUSE to have anything in my shop with the MFJ label. I know they are owned by the same company, but until MFJ gets its QC together, I want none of their MFJ-labeled stuff. If 'any' other company made an oil-filled dummy load I would have purchased it . . . but couldn't find any. I wish I had purchased a Heathkit d-load years ago when I had the chance.

As others have mentioned the 'paint can' material is thin. I placed mine into a pyrex pie plate to catch any potential leaks. So far, 4 years later, no problems.

Gotta admit it works!
KD5NCO Rating: 2007-07-19
Can too thin Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I was seriously concerned about the very light tin used on the lid of the "paint can". Fortunately that part held up well so far. The resistor and holder assy did not need post sale final work (like much of the Ameritron/MFJ stuff I own) so they got up to a 3. The 2 point de-rating is because leaking oil on my floor. Bottom crimp for base of the "paint can" is seeping oil. Went to Sherwin Williams and got a free "real" 1 gallon pain can and poured the oil in, put on the lid and back in business. Did not call or write Ameritron/MFJ as I do not want a factory replacement pail
AA6CC Rating: 2006-03-10
Poor construction Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Bought the Ameritron which was more expensive than the MFJ because the dealer said it was better quality. Checked the resistance with a meter and found a dead short. Disassembled and found the resistor assembly had been installed wrong with a support bracket shorting it out. Had to unsolder and rotate the assembly. Assembly obviously not inspected. Appears whoever assembled unit didn't understand what they were doing. Can and lid of unit very thin metal...not imprssive for the price.